Monday, October 24, 2011

Old Terror in New Buildings

Okay, there is something bothering me. Mixed in with the speculations and general discussions of the situation out at Melrose Terrace is a statement made about a year ago by the Chair of the Selectboard to the effect that Brattleboro has too much Public Housing. He's against it. Several years ago, an older woman of my acquaintance won election to the Selectboard. She sure shook 'em up a bit. At any rate, yesterday morning we were having a discussion about Melrose Terrace. When I mentioned the Selectman's position, she surprised me by stating most firmly that Brattleboro did indeed have too much subsidized housing. I think my jaw actually bounced on my chest (considering that she herself had benefited from so many health and housing programs). The discussion was interrupted and discontinued at that point (after all, I was at work). What I want to know is, why do people see subsidized housing as a negative thing? The very words, rolled over on the tongue, drip with pejorative. Why is there such a negative view of subsidized housing? No one ever says there are too many people of means. There aren't too many mansions. There aren't too many non-profits, after all, where else would the children of the people of means find work?

No one ever asks why we need so much subsidized housing. And in that answer, no one ever says the rents are too high or that the average paycheck is too low. What this town has is landlords who want too much money. I don't doubt that quite a few are trust-fund babies who inherited Aunt Norma's little manse, and found that they wouldn't have to work as long as they got a high rent for the apartments they'll carve out of it. Their good fortune doesn't allow for the thought that they are charging too much for the rent. That's one of the primary reasons there is subsidized housing - every day folks here can't afford what is being charged. Too much subsidized housing a problem? Try paying a fair wage.Too much subsidized housing still a problem? Find and recruit employers who can offer enough good jobs to replace those lost over the past several years. Stop blaming the people who need subsidized housing and blame yourselves. The Selectboard let all those jobs get away. Accept the blame already. What did You do to change things? You threw how many parties for politicians versus how many for 'charity'? Better watch that or you'll end up spending so much that you'll have to raise the rents. Get over your elitist dreams and accept some blame.

You, Mr. Non-Profit, you want us to pay how much for a garbage bag to appease your self interests and your failure to properly fund such services as street cleaning, trash and recycling collection? If many of you had done your jobs successfully, more people would be able to pay taxes for services. Okay, you can stop me any time now...